Bye Laws

Club membership

The Algoa Flying Club only has pilots as full members. For purposes of membership, a pilot is defined as a person who has flown solo in a powered aircraft.

Visitors’ book

AS THE CLUB IS LICENSED IN TERMS OF THE LIQUOR ACT, it is imperative that members sign their guests in. Failure to do this may result in legal action being taken against the club and the loss of our licence. A member may be fined by the committee for not signing in guests.

Liquor laws

By law, children are not allowed inside the pub; this is not a club rule, it is the law.

Locking the clubhouse

If a member leaves the clubhouse at ANY time, that member is required to ensure that there is still a member left within. In the event that there is no other member inside the clubhouse, the departing member must ensure that all doors and windows are closed and locked. If non-members are inside they must be asked to wait outside so that the clubhouse can be secured. This rule must be observed even if a member may be leaving in order to fly, with the intention of returning to the clubhouse.

Smoking

No smoking is permitted in the clubhouse.

Private phone calls

No private calls may be made from the club telephone.

CLUB AIRCRAFT RULES

Pilots of club aircraft

Pilots must be in possession of a valid pilot’s licence. Any pilot who has not flown for a periods of three months or longer, in the particular type of aircraft, must fly with an instructor and have his/her log-book endorsed to the effect that he/she is authorised to fly that particular type of club aircraft.

Flights by pupil pilots

No pupil pilot may fly in a club aircraft unless a responsible person is on duty.

Air Navigation Regulations (ANRs)

Members may utilise club aircraft subject to the conditions in force at the time and on the understanding that all operations shall conform to the ANRs. It is illegal to operate an aircraft outside the ANRs.

Indemnity forms

All pilots flying club aircraft must ensure that all passengers have signed a form indemnifying the club in the event of injury. Failure to do this will render the pilot liable for all damages that may arise.

Autho book

No aircraft may be flown unless the Authorisation Book has been filled in. Failure to do this may result in the pilot being held liable for anything that may occur during the flight. Filling in the Authorisation Book after a training flight is against the ANRs.

Pre-flight

All club aircraft must receive a pre-flight inspection equivalent to, or more thorough than that required in terms of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook of the aircraft in question.

Start-up

Before starting an engine, take the effort to observe whether any aircraft are behind. If so, pay attention to whether that aircraft is likely to be affected by the start-up. Dust and plant material blown up are undesirable and aircraft may even be blown over under certain circumstances. Pay attention to good airmanship at all times.

Licensed airfields only

No club aircraft may be landed at an unlicensed airfield without special permission from the committee or unless the insurers have been informed of the matter and have agreed to continue the liability.

Low flying

Low flying over the sea is not permitted, i.e. below an altitude of 500’. Should flight at a lower altitude be undertaken, the matter should be reported to the secretary so that the aircraft can be washed immediately to remove salt. The member will be charged for this service. If flights are undertaken during the week-end, the pilot concerned shall be responsible for the washing of the aircraft.

Aerobatics

No aerobatic manoeuvres may be performed in club aircraft unless they are specifically permitted in terms of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook of the aircraft in question.

Incidents and hard landings

All incidents, including hard landings, must be reported to the secretary so that the appropriate inspection or action can be implemented. Failure to report incidents may render a pilot liable for all damages that arise from such incident.

Charges for aircraft hire

These will be at the rates applicable at the time of hire. The rates can be obtained from the secretary of the club.

No show

If an aircraft is booked and then it is not possible to make the flight for reasons not related to safe aircraft operations, the club may require that the person pay all of, or part of, the rental fee.

Accident excess

In the event of an accident, an investigation will be carried out by the committee. In the event that the pilot is considered responsible that person may be required to pay an amount equivalent to the insurance excess liability.

Fuel

No fuel to be removed/decanted/syphoned from any club aircraft. Refuelling must be undertaken at approved fuel vendors, and where this may not be possible, authorisation from the committee member responsible for aircraft maintenance must be granted.

Credit

The rule of the club, at all times, is that payment for all flying shall be immediately after the flight is completed. Any person who fails to comply with this rule willbe charged a R150,00 administration fee and interest at the prime overdraft rate charged by the club’s bankers plus 5%.

Aircraft condition

If any member feels that an aircraft is in sub-standard condition, the matter should be reported to the secretary, preferably in writing. If no action is taken please request an explanation.

Smoking in aircraft

Smoking of cigarettes, cigars or pipes in the aircraft is not permitted at any time. This practice is dangerous, unhealthy and makes the interior unpleasant for non-smokers.

Hangars (1)

No pilot may taxi an aircraft into its hangar. Should this happen, the pilot responsible will be held liable for all damages and may be asked to leave the club. This is a very dangerous practice and demonstrates a low degree of airmanship.

Hangars (2)

Each aircraft must be parked inside its hangar after each flight and not left outside. Where an aircraft is left out, even if the next pilot has indicated his intention to utilise the aircraft, the pilot who last flew shall assume all responsibility for that aircraft should it be damaged due to negligence or any other reason. The responsible person will also be charged R150 penalty. On too many occasions aircraft are being left outside their hangars because the next pilot has indicated an intention to use an aircraft and then not done so.

Hangars (3)

No aircraft may be started inside its hangar. This is a very dangerous practice and demonstrates a low degree of airmanship.

Hangars (4)

Hangar doors must be kept closed at all times. The purpose of this is twofold; to indicate to casual passers-by that entry to the hangars is not permitted and to protect aircraft inside from the weather and dust.

Hangars (5)

Aircraft owners leasing hangars from the club, must ensure their rentals are paid for in advance. If no payment received by the 7th of the month, the tenant will be deemed in default. An electronic communication (fax/e-mail) will be sent to the hanger tenant giving them a further 24 hours in which to settle their account. Failure to comply will result in their eviction, and their aircraft removed from the hangar and placed in the general aviation parking area at the owner’s risk. In this event, the club has the right to re-allocate this hangar to another aircraft owner.

Hangars (6)

Aircraft owners that store their aircraft in club hangars, do so at their own risk.

Hangars (7)

Club hangars are provided solely for the storage of aircraft.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Fines

A member who disregards the bye-laws may be fined up to R150,00 by the committee without a disciplinary hearing.